HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2015-05 Pertaining to CenterPoint Energy Application for Approval of a Distribution Cost Recovery FactorCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -05
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS,
PERTAINING TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A DISTRIBUTION COST RECOVERY
FACTOR PENDING AS DOCKET NO. 44572 AND RELATED PROCEEDINGS.
WHEREAS, on or about April 6, 2015, CenterPoint Energy Houston
Electric, LLC ( "CenterPoint Houston ") filed an Application for Approval of a
Distribution Cost Recovery Factor ( "DCRF ") with the Public Utility Commission of
Texas ( "Commission ") under Docket No. 44572; and
WHEREAS, Section 36.210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act authorizes
an electric utility company to request periodic adjustment to its rate schedule
between full base rate cases due to changes in the utility's invested capital by
including a DCRF in its Commission approved rates; and
WHEREAS, CenterPoint Houston is requesting $16,704,985 to be
recovered through ratepayers for its net distribution system invested capital; and
WHEREAS, any DCRF ordered by the Commission in the proceedings
could ultimately affect CenterPoint Houston's rates for wholesale electric
transmission customers and for end -use retail electric customers in CenterPoint
Houston's certificated service territory; and
WHEREAS, the Commission referred the proceedings to the State Office
of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) on April 7, 2015, requesting the assignment of
an Administrative Law Judge to conduct a hearing and issue a proposal for
decision to the Commission if necessary; and
WHEREAS, the deadline for the Commission to rule on the proceedings is
July 17, 2015, 46 days before September 1, 2015, the effective date unless good
causes exists for a later date pursuant to section 25.243(e)(6)(C) of the PUC
Substantive Rules; and
WHEREAS, certain municipalities have indicated their desire to join with
the City of Houston, Texas in a coalition of cities interested in the conduct of the
proceedings and to authorize the coalition to intervene on behalf of the
participating municipalities therein; and
WHEREAS, the coalition of cities shall be led by the City of Houston,
which shall direct the selection of legal counsel and consultants on behalf of the
coalition.
WHEREAS, interested parties must seek party status to comply with the
intervention deadline to be set in the proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the participation of the City of West
University Place ( "City ") in the coalition of cities will achieve coordinated efforts
among similarly situated affected municipalities in order to maximize the efficient
use of resources and expertise in reviewing, analyzing, and investigating
CenterPoint Houston's DCRF application; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the
City that the City participates with the coalition of cities in the proceedings;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERISTY PLACE:
Section 1: That the statements and findings recited in the preamble to this
Resolution are found to be true and correct and are hereby adopted as part of
this Resolution.
Section 2. That the City is hereby authorized to join with other
municipalities as part of the coalition of cities and to participate to the fullest
extent permitted by law in proceedings affecting the rates, operations and
services of CenterPoint Houston for customers within the City of West
University Place, Texas and in particular regarding the DCRF recovery factor.
Section 3. That the City is hereby authorized to intervene in the
proceedings as a member of the coalition.
Section 4. That such outside counsel that the City of Houston may select,
shall represent the City in all of the proceedings and are hereby authorized to
take all legal and other actions necessary to forward the interests of the City in
the proceedings and all matters related to such proceedings, including without
limitation any hearings, conferences, negotiations and related Proceedings.
Section 5. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
passage and approval in the manner required by the City Charter and
ordinances.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4 1h daA 2015.
SIGNED:
Bob Fry, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Alan Attorney
J%.
v
2
,tilUv A L �-- Y
A. Lenz, City
I01114 bi -1
V. 0 F
ON